Brief Overview

Purpose: The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is seeking feedback on the initial draft of the Latin American and Caribbean DNS Marketplace Study. The goal of this study is to identify and define the strengths and weaknesses in the industry ecosystem within the region, and develop recommendations on how to advance the industry and bring it closer to the opportunities available.

Current Status: Initial draft of the “Latin American and Caribbean DNS Marketplace Study” published for public comment.

Next Steps: Improvements based on community inputs in the draft study report for final version publication.

Section I: Description, Explanation, and Purpose

Commissioned in January 2016, the study investigates the current state of Internet and domain name industry, explore best practices for the uptake of domain names and analyze the ecosystem. It recommends new business potentials based on global benchmarks and propose a way forward for the region.

A consortium led by Oxford Information Labs, LACTLD, EURid and InterConnect Communications is conducting the study for ICANN.

Section II: Background

ICANN‘s Latin America and the Caribbean Strategic Plan defined four key areas of interest as strategic focus for the region. Two of those, namely Capacity Building and Outreach; and Economic Issues contemplate aspects to further develop the domain name industry. After consultation with members of LAC Strategic Plan Steering Committee, a request for proposal to conduct the study was released in September 2015 to commission a study to investigate the current state of the Internet and the domain name industry in the region, define best practices that have made an impact in domain name market growth, look at the broader ecosystem of the Internet infrastructure and online services and describe the impact of such elements on the overall evolution of the domain name industry, describe the business potential in the domain name industry in this region, and provide suggestions on how to develop the industry and what business models can be adopted in the entire industry chain. The consortium led by Oxford Information Labs was then contracted in early 2016 and now presents the initial draft report for public comments.

Section V: Reports

Staff Contact

The Centro de Emprendimiento e Internet is an open initiative from Paraguay’s National Secretariat for Information and Communication Technologies (SENATICs), the Latin American and Caribbean Country Code Top-Level Domain Association (LACTLD) and ICANN. The goal in establishing the Center is to contribute to the evolution of the Internet ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean region. The Center will serve as a knowledge repository and networking point for acquiring and sharing expertise, resources, training and support for the implementation of initiatives and projects in digital environments.

Initially, the Center’s focus will be on regional capacity building on the topic of the Domain Name System (DNS) industry ecosystem. The training and education will provide opportunities to team up with relevant partners to share experiences, build a network of experts and find new avenues to advance and strengthen the sector.

The idea for the Center came from discussions between SENATICs and ICANN. These discussions resulted in an agreement to support the development of the Internet DNS industry in Paraguay and in the region. LACTLD joined the efforts to create synergies among the regional country code operators. The Center is now open and is seeking a wide range of partnerships from the industry.

The Center’s inauguration event will be on 12 October 2016 in Asunción, Paraguay. This celebration will coincide with the first day of the Center’s first training course.

The Center seeks community participation:

Call for applicants for the first training course. The Center asks candidates from the region to apply for the Center’s first course. The course, to be held on 12–14 October, will cover the business, marketing and legal aspects of the DNS industry. The Center will grant travel support for the 10 candidates who best demonstrate an interest in developing the domain name industry in the region, sharing what they learn in their local communities, developing business models and contributing for the further development of the Center. Learn more and apply.

Call for partnerships. The Center invites contributions from interested partners (regional organizations, private sector companies, individuals) to contribute to the consolidation of the Center, including replicating activities in other countries. If you are interested, email daniel.fink@icann.org.